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When to Plant Brussels Sprouts in Hardin County, TX

Hardin County, Texas Zone 9a May

Top priorities for Hardin County, Texas gardeners in May

Each item below is timed to Hardin County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost February 14
Avg. first frost December 4
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for brussels sprouts

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Looking ahead to June
  • First harvests: brussels sprouts

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Brussels sprouts are a cold-hardy brassica that produces miniature cabbage-like heads along a tall stalk. Flavor improves after a light frost.

Hardin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 323 feet, Hardin County receives approximately 66.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Brussels Sprouts during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Brussels Sprouts will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Brussels Sprouts root diseases.

Hardin County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4
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Hardin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 4 Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Hardin County

How your county's soil matches Brussels Sprouts's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.7) overlaps with Brussels Sprouts's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Hardin County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Brussels Sprouts will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.7%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Brussels Sprouts.

How to Plant Brussels Sprouts

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Brussels Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Brussels Sprouts Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.9" 2" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Mar 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3.9" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 10.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 11.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 1.9" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 3.9" 1.6" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Hardin County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Brussels Sprouts Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Brussels Sprouts needs ~1,925 GDD — county provides 5,145 GDD Excellent fit

Brussels Sprouts Planting Timeline — Hardin County, TX

Brussels Sprouts Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 – Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28
Direct Sow January 24 Jan 24 – Feb 14
Harvest May 16 May 16 – Jul 11
Fall Sowing October 9 Oct 9 – Oct 23

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October Fall Sowing
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–130 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

293 days in Hardin County

Growing Tips for Brussels Sprouts in Hardin County

Direct sow Brussels Sprouts outdoors after February 14 in Hardin County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Hardin County dries quickly — mulch Brussels Sprouts with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Brussels Sprouts in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 12-14 weeks before first fall frost. Stake tall plants to prevent toppling. Remove lower leaves as sprouts develop to improve air circulation.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Brussels Sprouts in Hardin County, TX?

Hardin County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Brussels Sprouts planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hardin County, TX?

Hardin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 4.

🌱

Your Hardin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hardin County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hardin County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.